CHAPTER 4
The Ringo Effect
Gone into hiding on Bennett Avenue
CHAPTER 4
Penelope Weatherspoon pulls her sporty red Jaguar into the Ringo’s driveway. The curtains are drawn and the house is shut up tight but she knows Dahlia is in there. She hasn’t heard a peep from her in over a week and worried, today she’s done something she normally would never do. She got in her car and came over unannounced.
Dahlia hears the front door bell chime. Peeking out from the shuttered bedroom window she spots her best friend below. The breeze off Lake Michigan several blocks to the east picks up the hem of Penelope’s floral print sundress and swirls it all around her.
Dahlia sighs. She’s not surprised. She knew that Penelope wouldn’t let her go MIA for too long. But she’s going to be nosy and start asking questions and there’s too much Dahlia isn’t ready to discuss. Especially with her hot-tempered, let’s-go-kick-some-ass best friend.
Penelope looks up suddenly. She shades her eyes, spots Dahlia in the window and shouts, “I see you Dee! Let me in!”
Dahlia looks in the mirror over her dressing table and shutters at the sight of herself. She could take a moment to change out of the coffee and bourbon-stained housecoat she’s worn the last three days and nights. But why?
